Orange County Students Make Toy Drive Special This Holiday Season

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA —This week, a group of private school students across Orange County received the best holiday gift of all--a lesson in giving.

A group of elementary school kids enrolled in Little Villagers After School Program, made hand-crafted stuffed animals for at-risk children served by Illumination Foundation for their holiday toy drive.

Students, aged 4- to 12-years-old at Rancho Santa Margarita's St. Junipero Serra School, San Clemente's Our Lady of Fatima Academy, Huntington Beach's St. Bonaventure School and Costa Mesa's Renascence School International took part in the activity.

Each child stuffed a plush toy with cotton fiberfill and a gold star with a special wish for the child receiving the stuffed animal.

The toy animal comes with a birth certificate with their name, birth date and place of birth, and a cute outfit provided by Animaland.

"The kids were so excited to make these stuffed animals for children in need. It warms the heart to see kids giving to kids, and it is a beautiful way to celebrate the holiday season," Little Villagers co-founder Kristine Darroch said.

In all, they made over 40 stuffed animals, each placed in a hand-decorated gift bag, and delivered to Illumination Foundation on Monday.

Amanda Delgado, Associate Manager of Marketing and Community Engagement at Illumination Foundation, remarked on the toy donation.

"We thank Little Villagers for helping our at-risk youth served by Illumination Foundation," she said. "The spirit of giving demonstrated by Little Villagers kids illuminates the way for youth in need."